By: Cat Flanagan, Category Manager at CAMPERiD.com
Who says RVing is just for the summer? Just because winter is in full swing doesn’t mean that your RV adventures have to come to an end! However, before you embark on a winter RV trip, it’s important to ensure you’re fully prepared. Whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned traveler, it’s still helpful to familiarize yourself with the necessary steps to prepare yourself and your vehicle for all types of weather conditions. So, what can you do to start?
Mechanical must-do’s
Check, inspect, and be safe! In order to take care of your RV engine, make sure to fully inspect all components. Check your rig and all batteries for any signs of damage. It’s better to be safe than sorry – you certainly don’t want your batteries to die or freeze while you’re on the road. Keep in mind to empty your holding tank before the trip and winterize the water system with RV antifreeze. On the exterior of your vehicle, examine each door, check window seals, and re-caulk when necessary to keep the cold draft out.
Interior care
When it comes to being comfortable inside your home on wheels, give the interior of your RV some love! Make enhancements for extra warmth and insulation, which could include covering the windows with curtains or drapes to help hold some of the heat in. It could also be worth insulating the floors with foam board flooring. If you’re in a time crunch, heavy rugs or carpets can also help block cold air and keep your feet warm. Be sure to check your furnace to see if it’s working properly. Other resources for heat could definitely be worth investing in. Space heaters could be useful for interior water pumps, and even blow dryers for defrosting tanks and pipes. Just make sure to use with caution!
Pack all the essentials
An important piece of advice to keep in mind: prepare for the worst and don’t under pack in this case. For starters, don’t forget to bring extra food, drinking water, warm attire, blankets, towels, sleeping bags, dehumidifiers, tire chains and a shovel. Other items, such as GPS systems and extra cash could be beneficial to keep in the event of an emergency. Don’t cover any exhaust vents or the exhaust tailpipe with RV skirting. Also, make sure to clear snow and avoid accumulation from these areas.
If you do forget something or want extra warmth indoors, don’t neglect resources at campsites – these resources are there to help you! However, definitely plan ahead and make sure each campsite is open and servicing guests. With that, don’t forget to strategically map out your route and check the weather for each destination.
Most of all, try not to let a little cold weather prevent you from fully enjoying your trip. Be sure to include your favorite winter toys and just have fun! After all, the more you go in the winter, the more you’ll learn for future trips. Try to prepare as much as you can and embrace it!
